UN fails to agree on Syria protests crackdown - Security Council members remain divided on US-backed statement condemning violence against protesters

The UN Security Council has failed to agree on a statement condemning Syria's deadly crackdown on peaceful protesters. Envoys attending a special open meeting on Syria in New York on Wednesday said Russia, China and Lebanon opposed the wording of a draft resolution distributed by European nations. France called for "strong measures" if Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, rejects appeals to end violence which has killed hundreds. The US said Assad must "change course now and heed the calls of his own people" for change.



Russia, after blocking a Security Council statement condemning the violence, however insisted that the Syrian crackdown did not amount to a threat to international peace and security, grounds that would justify international action.

"A real threat to regional security could come from outside interference," Alexander Pankin, the Russian deputy UN ambassador, told the council.

"Such approaches lead to a never ending circle of violence" and could set off civil war.

Bashar Ja'afari, the Syrian ambassador to the UN, welcomed the Security Council's inaction, saying his government was carrying out an investigation into the violence and that there was no need for a UN commission.

Al Jazeera's Kristin Saloomey reporting from the UN said any hope for Security Council action is dead for the moment.

"The council was not able to agree on even the most basic form of the statement calling for calm and calling for an investigation."

Our UN correspondent said Russia offered the strongest opposition to the move saying they were concerned about violence in Syria, but on both sides.

"In the end there were isolated statements of concern from various countries, but no unified action by the council."

China and India called for political dialogue and peaceful resolution of the crisis, with no mention of condemnation.

Nawaf Salam, the Lebanese envoy, said his country shared a special relationship with Syria, and that "the hearts and minds" of the Lebanese people are with the Syrians, and are supporting Assad's lifting of the state of emergency and reforms.